364 Calculative
In one breath, Douglas threw out three plans, and then talked about a lot of numbers. If the speed of the brain's analysis was a little slower, it would not be able to keep up with the rhythm..
Among the three options, which one is more suitable? Which option is more beneficial to the crew? A mess of numbers poured in in less than thirty seconds, and Drake entered a brief state of panic - Americans are not very good at numbers, not to mention the calculation of copyright and box office. It’s already very complicated.
For most laymen, anyone would think that the third option is the best. The reason is simple. The copyright fee is a full four million, which is not inferior even to the five million bought out. Moreover, you can also get 15% of the box office dividend, which is simply not more cost-effective..
Of course, some people will simply choose to buy out, gain five million US dollars in one breath, and escape poverty in an instant. Such temptation cannot be stopped by anyone..
But Renly knew that this was a trap, a very clever trap..
On the surface, it seems that Focus Features is more generous, giving Drake three options, full of different possibilities, and full of sincerity. Compared with Harvey Weinstein's calculations and suppression, he can make a clear decision..
But in fact, another meaning of the three options is that with only these three options, the bargaining chip will not change..
In other words, the three options have been carefully calculated. Focus Features has always been in control and will never suffer a loss. Drake has also lost the opportunity to negotiate and can only choose between these three options. , choose the one that suits you best.
It seems that the options are very abundant, but in fact, the space for negotiation, room for debate, and room for profit have been compressed to the extreme. As expected, neither Focus Features nor Weinstein Pictures is a good person..
Douglas just proposed a total of three options. In fact, the difference between the first option and the second option is not very big..
If the North American box office of "Crazy Love" reaches 10 million, the results of the two options are basically the same, less than 10 million. The second option will lose a little bit, but the loss will also fluctuate within a small range; above 10 million , the second option is more cost-effective, but there is not much room for profit..
But the problem is that part of the promotional expenses for the second option must be paid by the crew themselves. And part of it, which part is it? Makeup and hair? transportation? Or styling? The tricky part cannot be summed up in just one or two sentences..
Focus Pictures' attitude is very clear. If you choose the second option and share the risks, then the burden of publicity will also need to be shared. If you choose one option, Focus Pictures will take care of it and bear all the related expenses of publicity. They also carry all the risks on their shoulders, and naturally, the profits will also belong to them..
It is conceivable that Focus Features must face all the difficulties and risks. For its own benefit, publicity efforts will naturally give the highest treatment; but if the crew will share part of the risks, Focus Features can put in less effort and the crew members I will work hard to promote it.
To summarize briefly, between the first and second options, Focus Features prefers Drake to choose the buyout option..
However, in comparison with the first two plans, the third plan immediately stood out..
The copyright fee is four million, and the box office dividend is 15%. Although the crew needs to bear part of the publicity expenses, overall, this not only reaches the expected height - Andy's estimated share of the copyright fee, That’s about four million; and it can also cooperate with Focus Features. Not to mention the prospects during the awards season, at least the exposure in the box office market will skyrocket..
More importantly, Focus Features agreed to a split option.
At the beginning, Renly decided to accept the filming of "Crazy Love" with a salary of 20,000 US dollars. Andy didn't care about Drake's share commitment because he knew that it would be difficult for the distributor and producer to agree to this. requirements. Andy has given up on the idea of sharing and operates "Crazy Love" purely as an art film that does not make money..
But I didn't expect that "Crazy Love" was filmed by Pittsburgh Indian Pictures and Drake at their own expense. After the producer nodded and agreed, the distributor also relented and compromised..
For distributors, if they have enough confidence in the box office, buying out is the first choice, and sharing is the second choice, because this way they can ensure that they maximize their profits; if they are not optimistic about the box office prospects of the work, then choosing to share, you can Reduce copyright fees and share box office risks with producers and theaters.
For producers, it’s the other way around..
The reason why Focus Features is willing to choose to share the share is, to put it bluntly, it is not optimistic about the box office prospects of "Crazy Love".
This is not meant to be disparaging, but an objective judgment. The North American box office of "Blue Valentine" is only 9 million US dollars. It is difficult for such art films to have an advantage in theaters. They can only rely on awards season wins, and then Count on TV on-demand, video rentals, and art theater playbacks.
Therefore, compared to a buyout, sharing is more beneficial to Focus Pictures.
Focus Features has been squeezing the box office share of "Crazy Love", drastically cutting it from 45% to 25%, or even 15%. In this way, their box office share The higher the achievement, the smaller the possibility of losing money. Coupled with future peripheral profits, Focus Features will be in an invincible position..
Despite this, the third option is still an irresistible choice for Drake and the "Crazy Love" crew.
This is the most brilliant thing about Focus Features. On the surface, it opens up a variety of possibilities for you to choose from, but in fact, under the series of digital attacks, Douglas is invisibly guiding Drake to make a choice— —The third option, there is no doubt about it, followed by the first option, and finally the second option.
Especially when comparing the first two options, the advantages of the third option are very obvious. Drake’s decision is not difficult..
But are these really the only three options?？
It's like a multiple-choice question. Someone asks, "Should we go left or right next?"？”
The answer is obvious, left or right. Almost everyone will make a choice. But in fact, the answer is that there are other choices, go straight, go back, ask other passers-by... and so on. This is The myth of multiple choice questions.
Countless numbers were surging in Drake's mind, and he was a little confused now. Compared to Harvey, the choices Douglas gave were clearer, but Drake became even more undecided - he had a phobia of choice..
So, Drake turned to look at Renly, casting a questioning look. Or, in other words, a seeking look..
Dealing with numbers is not something Renly is good at. This is Matthew Dunlop's field; but dealing with people is no stranger to Renly. He knows that Douglas has mentioned three options, no matter which one they choose, Focus Features will readily agree—negotiation? There is no negotiation at all, there is only choice.
Therefore, Renly chose the simplest and most direct method.
“Why don't you listen to the plan conceived by our crew." Renly's words made Derek stunned and full of questions - do they have a plan?？
Douglas, who was sitting opposite, laughed, "Oh? You also have a plan.？”
“Two, we have two plans." When facing Harvey, Renly always refused to show his trump card. That was because he did not have an accurate concept of copyright fees and could not raise prices unreasonably..
But now, after passing through the prices of Andy, Harvey and Douglas, he probably had a vague number in his mind. He decided to bid at the highest point of this number and give it a try..
Whether it's Harvey or Douglas, Renly really doesn't like this kind of deceitful calculation of numbers. Rather than fussing over petty gains, it's better to cut through the mess quickly and finish the matter neatly..
“First, buyout." Just as Renly finished speaking, Drake's anxious call came from beside him. Renly was a little helpless, but on the surface he remained unmoved and continued, "Eight and a half million,' The North American distribution rights of "Crazy Love" are solely handled by Focus Features.”
8.5 million, Drake received a scare.
“Second, share." Renly's voice was always calm, and Douglas was impressed by his calm demeanor, "The copyright fee is five million, and the crew's box office dividend ratio is 35%..”
The situation that Douglas had just thrown to Drake was now thrown back to him by Renly. In just thirty seconds, the change of initiative was completed..
Douglas found it very interesting.
This is not the first time Focus Features has dealt with Renly. The film "Buried Alive" really made Douglas's eyes light up. He was not the one who completed the original distribution rights negotiations in Toronto, but he also heard that Renly's agent - —Andy Rogers is definitely not a good person. He showed strong confidence in "Buried Alive" and refused to give in on box office dividends..
Facts have also proved Andy's wisdom. "Buried Alive" has achieved a box office of 52 million US dollars in North America. Before the peripherals have been released, Focus Features has already made a small profit of 12 million US dollars. After that, After video tape distribution, TV on-demand and other links begin, they will continue to make profits. More importantly, this work is still on the waiting list during the awards season, maintaining strong competitiveness, which is really rare..
Focus Features is also very optimistic about "Crazy", especially Renly's future. Even if "Crazy" fails to make the final list of nominations for the 2011 awards season, Douglas also believes that Renly will still be Maintain a strong impact, even more powerful than Ryan Gosling four years ago.
Leaving aside competitors such as Weinstein Pictures and Paramount Advantage, Focus Features itself is also determined to win..
However, Renly's calmness, wisdom, and confidence were really surprising..
“It seems that you are very confident about the North American box office of 'Crazy Love'." Douglas did not answer directly, but made a joke.
The corner of Renly's mouth raised slightly, like the morning light leaping over the treetops, "Don't you have confidence?"？”
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